UN aviation scheme to supplement, not replace EU carbon trading

(12 May 2020) The UN aviation agency’s planned scheme for offsetting emissions from international flights will supplement, not replace, the European Union’s carbon market, the bloc’s transport Commissioner said on Monday (11 May).

With the United Nations planning a 2021 launch of its scheme – known as CORSIA – some EU lawmakers and environmental groups want assurances that the European Commission will not remove aviation from the EU emissions trading system (ETS).

“CORSIA will not put the ETS at stake. It will not replace the ETS. It will complement the ETS,” Transport Commissioner Adina Vălean told lawmakers on Monday.

Flights between European countries are currently covered by the EU carbon market, which requires airlines to buy permits to cover some emissions from these trips.

UN aviation agency ICAO is in favour of the EU removing these flights from its carbon market so that CORSIA can be the only market-based measure tackling international aviation emissions.

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, 12 May 2020: UN aviation scheme to supplement, not replace EU carbon trading